A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Virginia Beach for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a picture-perfect, scenic, and stunning town. The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Playa del Carmen than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also home to La Quinta Avenida. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Virginia Beach and Playa del Carmen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

Playa del Carmen is adequate for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Playa del Carmen specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. If you're willing to head out of town, there are world class Mayan ruins not far away, but if you want to hang out near town, then you'll likely spend most of your time enjoying outdoor water activities.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Playa del Carmen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a good number of overpriced tourist restaurants in the area, but if you do some research you'll also find amazing and authentic Mexican food as well. There is everything from food trucks to fine dining that offer ceviche, tacos, or burritos. There are also plenty of places to grab pizza or burgers.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Playa del Carmen is a must-see party destination. It rivals some of the country's best nightlife and you'll find plenty of venues to choose from, ranging from dive bars to swanky cocktail lounges. Head to the main walking street for some of the most active venues.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

Playa del Carmen offers an unforgettable resort vacation. You'll find a huge number of luxury resorts in the area, particularly along the beach. There are fancy pools and beachfront properties that offer the perfect vacation retreat.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. However, Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Playa del Carmen specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There's not a lot to see right off of the beach, but there are plenty of snorkeling excursions in the area that take you to beautiful reefs. The diving is world class as well and you'll find wonderful reefs, bull sharks, and hidden gems.

Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for the beach. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are among the best in the world. The area is filled with world class beaches, long stretches of white sand, and beautiful blue water. You might even stumble across a sea turtle or two while you're swimming.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen has hiking trails worth exploring. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Virginia Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Playa del Carmen. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach More Beautiful?

Playa del Carmen is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its scenery and beauty.

The beauty of Playa del Carmen is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its family-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. From eco parks to kid-friendly snorkeling opportunities, there are many activities for kids of all ages. There are also adventure parks and playgrounds that are perfect for a fun afternoon.

Virginia Beach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

Playa del Carmen has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Beautiful beaches and tropical jungles make this a paradise honeymoon destination. You'll find luxury resorts, fine dining restaurants, and countless opportunities to enjoy the stunning setting. Take a sunset cruise of explore one of the many natural wonders in the area.

Virginia Beach is a good town for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to visit Playa del Carmen. It's filled with tourists staying at luxury resorts, but you'll also find a couple of hostels tucked away in town. If you're interesting in scuba diving, then it's well worth the trip.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a popular place for students. However, Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Virginia Beach is popular with students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Playa del Carmen is not popular with students.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Playa del Carmen offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Playa del Carmen is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a compact and very walkable town. La Quinta is the main strip and it's pedestrian-only.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

For even more information, also check out Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting? and Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

Both Playa del Carmen and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Playa del Carmen has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Virginia Beach. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

Families should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Virginia Beach. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Playa del Carmen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Virginia Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Playa del Carmen that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Playa del Carmen than Virginia Beach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Playa del Carmen.

One day in Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find nightlife around the relaxing destination of Virginia Beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

Playa del Carmen is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife around the relaxing coastal city of Virginia Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Playa del Carmen. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Virginia Beach, we can see that Virginia Beach is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Virginia Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Virginia Beach than you might in Playa del Carmen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Virginia Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Playa del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen and Virginia Beach, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach in the Summer?

Both Virginia Beach and Playa del Carmen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Virginia Beach. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Virginia Beach. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Virginia Beach. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Virginia Beach. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. In the winter, Playa del Carmen is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Virginia Beach averages at about 39°F (4°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in January than Virginia Beach. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

Both Virginia Beach and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

In April, Playa del Carmen is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Playa del Carmen